The Road To Damascus

For those who are unfamiliar with the Christian faith a Road To Damascus experience in their lives is that time when like the Pharisee Saul, they have the great light from heaven shine down on them. It knocks them off their high-horse of pride and humbles them forever more. Just as Saul came away as Paul, they come away a new creature in Christ! The goodness of God Almighty has led them to repentence and their life is changed.1

I too had one. It changed my life forever. I can never go back as the person that lived prior to that point in time is gone for good.2

I was in the Army at the time. I was pulling guard duty and got into an argument with some fellow soldiers.3

The argument led to a scuffel. Really, it was a fight. Them against me.4

Let me begin by saying it was my fault. The details are not important. What is important is what it taught me to change my life forever.5

First and foremost it taught me that I was saved by grace and not by my works or because I was a "good person." That much was evident as I was in the military at the time and was able to engage any enemy that I would have been sent to destroy. For those unfamiliar with Christianity that translates I wasn't a nicey-nicey type person.6

As we fought I was holding my own. The problem is that everyone in the unit was taught the same hand to hand combat so two against one meant that I was going to lose.7

I was backing up as I was swinging at them. I was getting knocked backwards as we threw punches. Let me add here that I had full control of my faculties and was conscious.8

My boot caught on a tent peg and I went down backwards. The base of my scull hit a tent-peg with enough force that I lost the feeling from my neck down.9

One of the guys jumped on me at that point. I couldn't do anything as he straddled my chest and arms. They had no feeling anyway so there was no way for me to protect myself from his rage.10

He was so mad that he grabbed me by the neck shouting "I'll kill you!; I'll kill you!"11

And that's exactly what he did!12

His rage was so out of control the other soldier couldn't stop him. 13

As my ability to breathe was stopped I started to panic. My brain screamed fight back but my arms couldn't get the signal. I fought to breathe but the ability was gone. The worst death imaginable came upon me and everything grew dark.14

As the darkness filled my vision the last thing I felt was the cold snow the back of my head and neck lay on and the pressure of his massive fingers around my neck.15

All of a sudden the darkness turned into light and I felt the cold weight of my dead body leave as my spirit came free and began to raise.16

The panic that had gripped me and caused me to fight for life as the darkness engulfed me was replaced with the most wonderful peace I have ever felt.17

Words can never describe it. I can't do it justice with my feeble words. It was beyond my comprehension and ability to relate.18

I no longer wanted to live! Not in that heavy shell that caused me so much trouble. 19

I was free!20

As I looked down I saw the soldier over my dead body and the other one standing there in shock. It didn't matter. I couldn't care less about justice being served on my murderers. It wasn't even a thought. I was at peace! I was truly free!21

I went towards this great light I cannot explain. I didn't try to. I was moving as something drew me.22

I stopped and beheld the light for what seemed but a moment. 23

I wanted to stay!24

Slowly I started back towards where I came from. I didn't want to go. I cried out in a manner that I cannt explain "Lord, I don't want to leave! Please let me stay!"25

It wasn't to be though.26

I came back knowing that I would indeed live forever and that I must warn all that I came into contact with that if they wanted escape hell they better repent! 27

I was already a Christian at the time so this wasn't where the Lord was revealed unto me. It was a point where I knew I had a message for others and part of it was that even though I professed Christ I wasn't allowed into heaven. From that time on I would have to seriously change my ways and seek to please the Lord with all my heart. I had to tell others to repent as well.28

As my spirit came back into my body I felt the cold of the snow under all my body. I felt this massive pain all over from the beating this guy gave me.29

I opened my eyes as he was still holding my throat. He was crying and repeating over and over "I killed him! Oh my God I killed him!"30

After seeing heaven nothing here really mattered anymore. I couldn't care less about the piddley cares of this life.31

I said to him "Get off me."32

The guy about freaked out as he jumped up. 33

All he could say was "You were dead man! You were dead man!"34

I got up and went into the tent and changed into clean fatigues.35

I just sat there for who knows how long pondering what had transpired. I knew I had two purposes. 36

First, to get my act straight and then to warn others.37

How do I know it was real?38

The word of God says that when a man and woman marry they become one spirit and one flesh.39

Half way around the world my wife woke up out of a sound sleep and knew I had died. She started praying and called me the next day.40

The man that strangled me knew I was dead.41

He was a medic!42

From that point on whenever we passed each other in the barraks all he would say was "You were dead, man; You were dead, man."43

I entered that Damascus moment as a Christian that loved God but was heeding the wrong spirits and going amiss. 44

I left it with a desire only towards my betrothed and his commandment to warn others.45

If we want to hear the words "Well done; though good and faithful servant." we better be a humble servant that has been good and faithful. Otherwise, sin lieth at the door and hell awaits!46

Blessed be the name of the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!47

May God bless,48

Del49